Platy Bullying

[Kyshiara]

I have two platies (both definitely male, I have quadruple checked xD) and one (the bigger one) constantly chases the smaller one. And I mean CONSTANTLY. Every second of the day it's getting chased. The smaller one doesn't have any ripped fins or anything - and I swear it actually still wants to be friends with the big one (mad

) - but I have seen it trying to get a few seconds rest wayyy to often now, and I feel really sorry for it. I tried putting it in an isolation box (floating in the tank) to get a days break, and the bigger one was swimming against the box trying to get in.
What should I do about this? I don't really want to rehome the bigger one because I love all my fish but if it's better for them I will.
I have considered just getting more platies but I wouldn't them want them to get bullied instead.
Thank you for any help!

 

[sharkweek178]

Adding more platys might not end the bullying. But it could spread it out so that one fish isn't constantly being picked on.
I housed a platy with a honey gourami and the platy exhibited the same behavior. The only solution was moving the honey gourami to another tank.

 

[10 Tanks]

Hello. Just plant the surface of the tank real well. Anacharis, Hornwort and Dwarf Water Lettuce are good choices. They will give the bullied fish some hiding places.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

 

[Kyshiara]

Hello. Just plant the surface of the tank real well. Anacharis, Hornwort and Dwarf Water Lettuce are good choices. They will give the bullied fish some hiding places.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

My tank is actually chock full of plants, and floating plants. Sorry I forgot to mention xD

The small platy doesn't actaully hide, he just kind of stays in plain sight.

 

[Kyshiara]

I think I've decided to just buy a few more. If that doesn't work then I'll think of something else, but sadly I don't have another tank to separate them in so that can't happen unfortunately. I also can't afford to buy a new one. And also x2 I tried separating them once just in a tub with a heater and filter, one in the tub and one in the tank, and they both got really lonely.

Thank you both for your ideas and help though <3

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Post some photos of your aquarium so we can have a look? Sounds like you got a dumb fish that just won't take no for an answer....

Just out of curiosity, something I've always wanted to know the answer to...how do you know a fish is lonely?

 

[10 Tanks]

I have two platies (both definitely male, I have quadruple checked xD) and one (the bigger one) constantly chases the smaller one. And I mean CONSTANTLY. Every second of the day it's getting chased. The smaller one doesn't have any ripped fins or anything - and I swear it actually still wants to be friends with the big one (mad

) - but I have seen it trying to get a few seconds rest wayyy to often now, and I feel really sorry for it. I tried putting it in an isolation box (floating in the tank) to get a days break, and the bigger one was swimming against the box trying to get in.
What should I do about this? I don't really want to rehome the bigger one because I love all my fish but if it's better for them I will.
I have considered just getting more platies but I wouldn't them want them to get bullied instead.
Thank you for any help!

Hello. Simply drop several stems of Anacharis and Hornwort into the tank. These are very fast growing surface plants and will provide the necessary hiding places for the bullied fish. You could also get a few females at the local fish store. Platys are generally very inexpensive. My local LFS has them for a couple of dollars each.

10 Tanks (Now 11)